FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grande Village Retirement Community, a community of Sprenger Healthcare, achieved a deficiency-free rating during a recent annual Quality Indicator Survey from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
A deficiency-free rating signifies Grande Village is in full compliance with all standards in care and service set forth by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid.
During the survey, a team of representatives from the ODH visits Grande Village for an extended period of time to evaluate the quality of care provided for residents and determine if it meets regulatory standards for long-term care providers. The ODH observes the operations of the facility and reviews organizational procedures.
The Quality Indicator Survey consists of an evaluation of professional care standards, infection control, drug administration and overall quality of health care administration. It also requires observation of food service operations, maintenance, housekeeping and laundry services to ensure they are in compliance with safety policies.
Grande Village Retirement Community, located in Twinsburg, OH, provides a full range of health care services, including 24-hour skilled nursing, long-term care, assisted living, independent living and memory care. It also offers hospice, home health care, and short- and long-term rehabilitation.
About Sprenger Healthcare
Sprenger Healthcare has been family owned and operated since 1959. With 10 facilities throughout Northeast Ohio and Indiana, Sprenger offers the full continuum of aging services including: Short Term Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living, Hospice, and Home Health. Our innovative care, excellent customer service, and compassionate, dedicated employees have made Sprenger Healthcare a leader in providing exceptional health care. Sprenger communities have a history of excellent Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys, 5 Star Ratings, Deficiency Free Surveys, and US News & World Report Rankings. For more information on the programs we offer and to hear more about the Sprenger difference, please visit our website, www.SprengerHealthCare.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
By: Chris Phillips, Sprenger Dining Services
It’s projected by the year 2030, 22%of the world’s population will be 65 years old or older. You probably don’t need me to tell you, but this is a large amount of people! In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the same demographic only accounted for 4% of the world’s population at the beginning of the century. Chances are, if you don’t fall into this category, you know someone who does. Someday you’ll fit this category and it’s important to know what you can do to improve not only the number of years in your life, but the quality of those years.
It’s commonly known as we age, we’re more susceptible to disease and disability. Heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and other chronic degenerative conditions all affect the elderly.
There are different techniques and care plans for each condition, but the one thing that can help with all of these conditions is proper nutrition. It will give your body the necessary nutrients to fight any chronic condition and prevent it from becoming worse.
If something like proper nutrition is so important to your health it must be hard to maintain, right? The answer is no!
Older people don’t need to ingest as many calories as younger people due to factors like a slower metabolism, but they do need to make sure they maintain a proper level of minerals and vitamins. This can be done by choosing nutrient dense foods like fruit, fat free cheese and whole wheat crackers instead of sugar filled snacks like cookies and ice cream. Choosing fish, poultry and soy protein foods like tofu will give you your necessary protein. Calcium can come from low-fat milk, calcium fortified orange juice and broccoli. Vitamin B12 can be attained by eating low-fat meat, poultry, fish and fortified cereals. Get your Vitamin D from fortified milk and milk products, and fatty fish. Be sure to include fruits and vegetables for fiber and top it off with 6-8 glasses of water a day.
When preparing food, you should bake your food instead of incorporating other techniques, such as broiling. High heat causes foods to develop toxic compounds called Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products. These AGEs can contribute to hardening of the arteries, wrinkles and stiff joints and should be avoided to achieve optimal health.
Don’t let diminished senses keep you from maintaining healthy nutrition. Add flavor to your food by using low sodium seasonings, such as lemon juice, ground pepper, curry pepper and fresh or dried herbs of all types. Diversity in color and texture of your food can make your food look more appetizing. If you’re having trouble eating, try eating small meals throughout the day instead of three big meals to increase the appetite and stimulate the senses.
One day age catches up with all of us, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Adopt these techniques and you can age well while fighting whatever chronic conditions life throws at you.
Working in healthcare, you never know who you will meet or how long they will be under your care; however, I enjoy getting to know every one of my patients and hearing about their experiences.
When talking to Edward Lawko, Sprenger Hospice resident, I asked him about his favorite pastimes. To my surprise, his favorite memories were of high school. He shared that he loved sports and although he was not able to participate, due to Polio, watching football was is one of his favorite things to do. This gave me the idea of organizing for him to attend a high school football game.
With the help of Mike Collier, Clearview High School’s Athletic Director, I arranged for Lawko to attend an evening of friday night football.
On game day, Lawko, who was accompanied by his nephew Steve and his wife Suzette, were surprised with a gourmet tailgate, compliments of Sprenger Health Care’s Dietary Staff.
Before entering the game, Clearview High School Athletic Director and Clippers Head Coach, Mike Collier and his coaching staff greeted the Lawko family, presenting Edward with a team jersey, helmet and signed T-shirt.
Lawko did not stop smiling. He was overwhelmed with the gifts, but the night’s festivities had only just begun. Lawko was privileged with the title “Honorary Captain” and was asked to participate in the coin toss.
The crowd cheered for Lawko as he took to the field.
I don’t think I have ever seen him smile so much and it never left his face. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, we were surprised to find out one of the coaches for the other team was Mr. Lawko’s cousin.
It turns out we picked the perfect game to attend. Mr. Lawko was able to watch the game, experience tailgating and create some great memories with his family.
When I’m asked why I do what I do, I think about these experiences and memories of life we get to share, create and maintain with our patients and families. This is why I do what I do!
Voni de Almeida – Sprenger Hospice
Sprenger Health Care of Mishawaka was honored with the 2013 Economic Impact Award at the St. Joseph County Chamber Luncheon.
This annual luncheon, sponsored by the St. Joseph County Chamver, is to recognize local businesses for their contribution to the Michiana area. Various awards, including the Outstanding Young Business Leader Award, Small Business of the Year Award and the Economic Impact Award, are given out to recognizee businesses and individuals making a difference in the area.
